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Iron levels high

11-24-2011, 02:05 PM

Hello, I just had blood work done and everything is looking great except my iron levels were high. My UIBC is 101 which is low. Normal ranges are 150-375 (according to Lab Corp). My iron, serum is 182 which is high. Noraml being 35.155 and my iron saturation is 64%, normal being 15-55%.

Any one here have high iron levels and are their complications and what did you do to reduce it? I will also discuss this with my chiropractor and a doctor when I make an appt with a new one. My chiro ordered the blood work. Iron is not something I've had tested before so I have nothing to compare it with. Phosphorus was also a little high at 4.6 mg/dL.

My husband and I have been following Primal/Paleo since about March of this year. We are the 85/15 types. A little flexabilty on weekends.

There are some health risks associated with too much iron, so I would try to follow up. Are you pre or post menopausal?

I am going to be 50 in March, so I guess premenopausal. I did read up on hemochromatosis and it made me a little nervous with possible liver damage and cardiac problems. Since moving to Reno, we haven't found a GP we like, but I did just get a referral from my chiro, so I will call that doctor and get an appt.

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We're at 4200 ft in Reno. Last time I gave blood (13 years ago) I passed out! I was a little over zealous sqeezing my hand and watching the bag rock back and forth! Eyes rolled back and that was it! Thanks!

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Iron levels can fluctuate. Better to have super high levels any way so your body can make more blood. Just think of the coin you will save on iron supps lol!

Yes, but too high iron levels are a problem. That's why a lot of people don't supplement with iron anymore. If you're a male or a women that doesn't have periods, you can potentially store it up in your body and mess with your liver (among other things). According to an article in PubMed, Hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in the U.S., so it's not that unusual.

Durp.

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Iron in our hemoglobin oxidizes to carry oxygen so we can breath. Too much iron leads to too much oxidizing (rusting) and creates free radicals that travel around the body destroying tissue. Potentially scarring the arteries and causing plaque with the associated heart attacks and strokes.

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So if I eat a multivitamin on a daily basis with 100% iron, on top of all the red meat and chocolate I have, that's a bad thing? Should I limit my multivitamin consumption to several tiems a week instead?

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So if I eat a multivitamin on a daily basis with 100% iron, on top of all the red meat and chocolate I have, that's a bad thing? Should I limit my multivitamin consumption to several tiems a week instead?

It depends. Some people have too much, some have too little and some don't have a problem with it at all. I would look for iron levels next time you get your blood work done. Excess iron is more of a problem if you're a male or you're a women that doesn't have periods anymore. If you're having periods, it usually takes care of itself.